2025 Ford Explorer: A Refined Yet Familiar Journey
The Ford Explorer, a name synonymous with adventure and family-friendly hauling, enters its sixth generation in 2025 with a renewed focus on refinement and technology. While retaining the core values that have endeared it to generations of drivers, the 2025 Explorer seeks to carve its own path in a crowded SUV market. But does it succeed in delivering a compelling driving experience and a comfortable, connected cabin? Let’s delve into the details and see if the 2025 Explorer truly lives up to its legacy.
Exterior Design: A Familiar Face with Modern Touches
The 2025 Explorer’s exterior design, while retaining the familiar silhouette of its predecessors, boasts subtle yet significant changes. The front fascia is dominated by a larger, more prominent grille, flanked by sleek, LED headlights with a distinctive "C" shape that echoes the brand’s latest design language. The lower bumper features a wider air intake and angular fog lights, adding a touch of sportiness to the overall look.
Moving along the sides, the Explorer retains its signature sculpted lines, with a pronounced crease running along the doors, highlighting the vehicle’s muscular stance. The roofline, however, features a more raked profile, contributing to a sportier, more aerodynamic appearance. This sleekness is further accentuated by the optional panoramic sunroof, which floods the cabin with natural light.
At the rear, the Explorer receives a more modern treatment with redesigned taillights featuring a horizontal LED bar, connecting the two units and creating a sense of width. The rear bumper features a diffuser-like design, further emphasizing the vehicle’s sporty demeanor.
Interior: A Haven of Comfort and Technology
Step inside the 2025 Explorer, and you’ll be greeted by a spacious and comfortable cabin that prioritizes both luxury and practicality. The interior design is a blend of modern and classic elements, with soft-touch materials adorning the dashboard, door panels, and seats. The driver’s seat is supportive and comfortable, offering a wide range of adjustments for optimal ergonomics.
The centerpiece of the cabin is the large, 15.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which dominates the center console. This system, powered by Ford’s latest SYNC 4 software, boasts a user-friendly interface, sharp graphics, and seamless integration with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Navigation, audio controls, and climate settings are all easily accessible through the intuitive touchscreen, while voice control commands allow for hands-free operation.
The 2025 Explorer offers ample space for passengers in both rows, with ample legroom and headroom even for taller occupants. The second row features sliding and reclining seats, allowing for flexible seating configurations and easy access to the third row. The third row, while accommodating, is best suited for children or occasional use due to limited legroom.
Powertrain: A Balanced Blend of Performance and Efficiency
The 2025 Explorer is available with a choice of three powertrain options, catering to different driving preferences and needs.
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2.0L EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine: This base engine delivers a balance of performance and fuel efficiency, generating 250 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. It’s well-suited for everyday driving and offers a smooth and responsive driving experience.
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3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine: For those seeking more power and a sportier driving experience, the optional V6 engine delivers a punchy 350 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque. This engine provides effortless acceleration and confident passing power, making the Explorer feel more agile and engaging.
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Hybrid powertrain: The 2025 Explorer also offers a hybrid option, combining a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine with an electric motor. This setup delivers a combined output of 310 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque, while boasting impressive fuel economy figures. The hybrid powertrain offers a smooth and quiet driving experience, particularly at lower speeds.
All powertrains are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, providing smooth and responsive gear changes. Front-wheel drive is standard, while all-wheel drive is available as an option on all trims.
Driving Dynamics: A Refined and Comfortable Ride
The 2025 Explorer prioritizes a comfortable and refined driving experience, making it an ideal choice for long road trips and daily commutes. The suspension, featuring MacPherson struts in the front and an independent multi-link setup in the rear, effectively absorbs bumps and imperfections in the road, providing a smooth and controlled ride.
The steering is precise and responsive, offering a good feel for the road, while the brakes are powerful and provide confident stopping power. However, the Explorer’s handling, while competent, isn’t as sharp or engaging as some of its competitors. This is a deliberate choice by Ford, prioritizing comfort and stability over outright sportiness.
Safety Features: A Comprehensive Suite of Advanced Technologies
The 2025 Explorer comes equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features, designed to protect both occupants and pedestrians. Standard features include:
- Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
- Blind spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Driver attention monitoring
Optional features include:
- A surround-view camera system
- Parking assist
- Head-up display
- Rear automatic emergency braking
Trim Levels and Pricing:
The 2025 Ford Explorer is available in a range of trim levels, each offering a different level of equipment and features:
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Explorer Base: The entry-level trim features a 2.0L EcoBoost engine, 18-inch wheels, cloth upholstery, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a suite of standard safety features.
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Explorer XLT: The XLT trim adds features like leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power liftgate, and a larger 12-inch touchscreen.
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Explorer Limited: The Limited trim steps up the luxury with premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and a suite of advanced driver-assistance features.
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Explorer ST-Line: The ST-Line trim focuses on sporty aesthetics with blacked-out accents, larger wheels, a sport-tuned suspension, and a more powerful 3.0L EcoBoost engine.
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Explorer Platinum: The top-of-the-line Platinum trim offers the ultimate in luxury and refinement with premium leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, a premium sound system, and a comprehensive suite of advanced driver-assistance features.
Prices for the 2025 Explorer range from around $35,000 for the base model to over $55,000 for the top-of-the-line Platinum trim.
Competition:
The 2025 Ford Explorer faces stiff competition in the midsize SUV segment, with several strong contenders vying for buyers’ attention.
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Honda Pilot: The Honda Pilot offers a spacious and comfortable cabin, a reliable powertrain, and a strong reputation for reliability.
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Toyota Highlander: The Toyota Highlander is another popular choice, known for its fuel efficiency, spacious interior, and advanced safety features.
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Chevrolet Traverse: The Chevrolet Traverse offers a spacious and versatile interior, a powerful engine, and a competitive price point.
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Mazda CX-9: The Mazda CX-9 stands out for its stylish design, refined driving dynamics, and premium interior.
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Subaru Ascent: The Subaru Ascent is a popular choice for families, thanks to its spacious interior, all-wheel drive capability, and strong safety ratings.
Conclusion:
The 2025 Ford Explorer is a compelling choice for buyers seeking a spacious, comfortable, and well-equipped midsize SUV. It offers a familiar yet refined design, a spacious and technology-rich cabin, a variety of powertrain options, and a comprehensive suite of safety features. While it may not be the most engaging to drive, the Explorer’s focus on comfort and practicality makes it an ideal choice for families and individuals who prioritize a smooth and enjoyable driving experience.
However, with a crowded field of competitors offering similar features and capabilities, the 2025 Explorer faces a tough battle for buyers’ attention. Its success will depend on its ability to stand out with its distinctive design, comprehensive technology package, and value proposition.
